I Finally Did It. - Ireland

I am 43, short, and had my first baby at 18. For the last few years I have hated that I couldn't ever wear a bikini, or swimsuit without feeling awful.

So I decided I had to do something so that at least for a few years before I became to old to enjoy it. I could wear clothes and feel good.

Here in Ireland cosmetic surgery is not very popular (YET), so I had to travel four hours for to consult with my ps, and to have the surgery. I had this surgery on November 23rd. I had a breast augmentation, or a restuff, the volume had gone from my breasts after four pregnancies, and a tummy tuck with lipo.

I had drains only for a few hours post op, and was discharged from the hospital the day after surgery. I won't see my PS again until DEC 7th. I am in swell hell, please tell me It gets easier. I have been doing normal chores around the house since day 2 and maybe I am not resting enough, would this be a factor on feeling like shamu each evening?. I am sore too, it feels like I have been burned, down by my ribs feels so tight and hot. My boobs feel like something from another planet.

My PS didn't really give me details on what he was going to do, he just told me when I woke up that I was going to be very happy.

I was mortified when he took the before pictures, one thing standing nude in front of the mirror and seeing this big pouch, it is a whole different kettle of fish when you are exposed and this handsome ( why couldn't he be an ugly oul fella) man comes in with a marker and starts drawing maps on your tummy. He took hold of my tummy, and said THIS WILL ALL BE GONE, It was like a bundle of laundry , I have looked at myself in the mirror, and it seems to be gone, but I still don't have a figure, just a flatter bloated version of me. Still though it is only six days. He also gave me a new belly button, I have to say I wasn't expecting that, and was thrilled to hear I will have one, it was lost under folds of lose skin, and I had a hollow up from where the actual button sat, ( hard to discribe but it looked like my button slid down my tummy.) I need to lose about 20lbs, but he said that it won't matter too much, because I will see a huge difference now it is done. So I will keep you all posted on my recovery, . I want to get rid of this swelling though it is awful, I know it will be 3 months, but please tell me the worst will end soon.

Well today is day 7. I am feeling a lot better, but still stinging skin under my binder. I find it hard to imagine what my body will look like when all this swelling goes away but It can only be better.

Day 13, I definatly did too much yesterday. I had to go shopping and pulling a trolly about put strain on my tummy muscles and even my breasts. I was so swollen last night. So I know for sure that doing too much will make the swelling worse. I try to rest during the day, and I am in no way doing all that I should be doing. I feel guilty that my husband has to help so much. He already works so very hard. Being self employeed he works until late in the evening and has no days off. ( not even sundays). So I am off to Dublin tomorrow to see my PS. I have a seroma so I hope he will drain that. ( I know because of this board, I can identify it). I also hope too that he will tell me it is ok to have a bath,. I think to have an epsom salts bath would be sooo very good for swelling and just general well being. I am dreading the drive though I know I will be so tired driving for 4 hours to Dublin, and 4 hours home.